Excellent news coming in from Gastown Garage Denver over on 29th!
We’ve been following their progress for over a year, and things are really starting to come together. This is the former auto garage being transformed into a restaurant, coffee shop and bar—and after a few hiccups along the way, they are getting very close to opening.
I heard from Fin, the owner, tonight with a great update:
“Hey Guy. Things are looking good. Our mural and landscaping just went in, and we’re getting ready to install our patio fencing, fire table, and finish up our interior.
The city has actually been very helpful and efficient with us at this stage. Quick to permit and help.
We just picked out glassware and bar/kitchen equipment and we have a menu tasting planned in October which should be a lot of fun. We’re getting there!”
And the momentum doesn’t stop there.
“We definitely have a lot of momentum right now. We have a very experienced group of hospitality professionals guiding the menus who will also be assisting us with hiring and training staff. One of them actually lives in the community a few doors down.”
With some significant restaurant closings lately, this town definitely needs a boost like Gastown. I’m excited to see this one finally cross the finish line!
Meanwhile, the west side of town seems to be growing by the day. Prost Brewery, Bonfire Burrito and, opening soon, HashTag have all popped up in the Clear Creek Crossing neighborhood. Fantastic designs, menus and environments are bringing a whole new energy to that side of Wheat Ridge.
When you’re choosing “local,” make sure you spread the love throughout our entire city. There’s a lot happening from one end of Wheat Ridge to the other.
The Chamber’s Wine Walk was great! It’s such a fun way to highlight the various businesses around town while giving everyone a reason to get out, walk around and discover someplace new.
The committee will definitely have to figure out a workaround for the new liquor-license regulations that kept wine tasting away from businesses that actually serve wine on Main Street along 38th Avenue. I know Clancy’s and Little Brazil had wanted to participate but weren’t allowed.
But I did spend a good amount of time at Salone Bellissima, Anteak Booteek, Stylus and Crate and Well Beings. It was really fun running into friends on the street and inside some of the tasting stations along the way.
This was really my kind of event, although our friend Dom was noticeably missing! It was also great to see committee members like Dr. Maura Fletcher helping continue and organize this fun Wheat Ridge tradition.
And there’s more happening on 38th.
I stuck my head into King of Wings new location in the former Colorado Plus building on Main Street along 38th Avenue. The work is moving forward, and I can’t wait to see this place open in January. Pizza on one side and burgers on the other—what’s not to like?
Speaking of Colorado Plus, I did run into our friend Eugene at the Carnation Festival. While he misses us—and the drama of our small town—he’s enjoying his time dreaming and planning his next venture. I have a feeling we haven’t heard the last from him.
So, what’s still missing?
Is there a type of food or kind of restaurant you think would fit right in here in Wheat Ridge? Tell us about it. How do you envision the place? What would it look and feel like? And most importantly, what would be on the menu?
Send us your dream Wheat Ridge restaurant at [email protected]. Maybe someone out there will read your idea and decide to make it happen.
